By Tobias Parker – Conservative Candidate for Franklands Ward
For over half a decade, the people of Burgess Hill have been promised a new community arts and events venue—The Beehive. It was billed as a cultural cornerstone for the town, a modern replacement for Martlets Hall, and a sign of progress.
Instead, six years later, we’re left with an empty field, spiralling costs, and more questions than answers.
The Beehive: Big Promises, Bigger Failures
The Beehive project, as it stands today, was pushed forward by the Liberal Democrat-led Town Council after they took control in 2019. The idea was ambitious: a state-of-the-art arts centre, backed by funding from developers and Mid Sussex District Council. But that funding never arrived. And rather than scaling back or reconsidering, the Town Council doubled down—proposing a £4.8 million loan from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB), putting the cost squarely on Burgess Hill taxpayers.
A town-wide consultation followed, but just 8% of residents took part. Despite the low turnout, Town Council leaders treated the result as a green light to borrow millions—ignoring the 92% who didn’t participate. This wasn’t community backing. It was wishful thinking turned into reckless spending.
Where Did the Money Go?
Since 2019, over £800,000 of public money has been spent on:
- Demolishing the former Royal British Legion building on Cyprus Road
- Hiring multiple architects and project managers
- Repeated design changes and consultation exercises
- Internal staffing and legal costs
- A further £30,000 recently approved for more “replanning”
And still, not a single brick has been laid.
In a recent council meeting, Cllr de Souza described The Beehive as still being in its “early stages of development.” Residents are right to ask: after six years and hundreds of thousands of pounds, how much longer will this go on?
Meanwhile, Your Council Tax Just Went Up 14%
This year, Burgess Hill residents face a 14% rise in council tax, and many are struggling with the cost of living. At a time when every penny counts, it’s unacceptable that our money is being wasted on stalled projects and vanity schemes.
The Beehive is no longer just a building project—it’s a symbol of misplaced priorities and financial mismanagement. Without a full reset, the risk is we throw even more good money after bad.
A Pattern of Poor Priorities—and Residents Left Paying
The Beehive isn’t the only issue where leadership has gone silent.
Recently, Mid Sussex District Council—also led by the Liberal Democrats—introduced steep parking charge increases, extending fees into evenings, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. The changes were deeply unpopular, drawing thousands of objections from local residents and businesses.
But here’s the catch: Burgess Hill Town Council doesn’t benefit from these charges. They don’t see a penny.
And yet, Lib Dem town councillors—some of whom also sit on the District Council—said nothing. No public statements. No motions of objection. No support for the petition signed by over 8,500 people. They had a choice: stand up for Burgess Hill, or fall in line with party politics.
"If our councillors won’t fight for us, what are they really there for?"
– Tobias Parker
What Comes Next
Here’s what I believe needs to happen:
- No more spending on the Beehive until a full, transparent audit of costs and options is published.
- A formal review of how £800,000 was spent and whether the Town Council ever had a viable delivery plan.
- Town councillors must start acting as local representatives first, not party followers.
- All future projects and funding decisions must be made with proper resident engagement—not 8% consultations.
It’s Time for Change
This May, you have a chance to send a message. I’m running because I believe residents deserve honesty, accountability, and results. I’m not interested in making excuses or blaming the past—I’m focused on making sure we don’t keep repeating it.
If elected, I will:
- Hold the council to account on how your money is spent.
- Push for transparency and resident-led decision-making.
- Be a local voice—not a party mouthpiece.
Let’s put an end to the waste. Let’s bring local democracy back to life in Burgess Hill.
Tobias Parker
Conservative Candidate – Franklands Ward
Burgess Hill Town Council Elections 2025
